Bis-2-furanidyl ether and method of preparation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a new process for the preparation of N 1 -(2'-furanidyl)-5-fluoro-uracil, also called Ftorafur, which is a very important anti-cancer compound. Said process comprises reacting 2,3-dihydrofuran with water in the presence of a catalytic amount of an acidic catalyst at a pH below 2.5, removing excess of unreacted starting materials and reacting the mixture obtained with silylated-5-fluoro-uracil is in the presence of a Friedel Crafts type catalyst uracil in an inert organic solvent. The new process has many advantages in comparison with those used so far.

We claim: 
     
       1. Bis-2-furanidyl ether. 
     
     
       2. Method of producing bis-2-furanidyl ether, which comprises reacting 2,3-dihydrofuran with water in the presence of a catalytic amount of an acidic catalyst at a pH below 2.5 to form bis-2-furanidyl ether, and distilling off the thus formed ether. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2, wherein the acidic catalyst is selected from the group comprising phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, sulfonic acids and acid ion exchangers. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 2, wherein the pH is 0-2. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 2, wherein the reaction is performed with an excess of 2,3-dihydrofuran. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 2, wherein the reaction is performed at 50°-70° C.